American blues artist, Leadbelly died in 1949. Huddie William Ledbetter wrote many songs including "Goodnight Irene," "Cotton Fields," "The Rock Island Line" and "The Midnight Special." Leadbelly was jailed several times for fights and knife related incidents, he was once jailed for shooting a man dead during an argument over a woman.

The late Randy Rhodes was born in 1956 (played with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne). He died in plane crash March 19, 1982.

Born today in 1916, Hugo Peretti, songwriter, producer. Wrote many classic hits including, "Twistin' The Night Away," "Shout," "You Make Me Feel Brand New." Died on 1st May 1986.

Singer songwriter Roy Orbison died of a heart attack in 1988 (age 52). Scored the 1964 US & UK #1 single "Pretty Woman," plus over 20 US & 30 UK Top 40 singles including "Only the Lonely" and "Crying." Formed his first band The Wink Westerners in 1949, was a member of The Traveling Wilburys (known as Lefty Wilbury) with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty Orbison endured a great deal of tragedy in his life. His first wife, Claudette died in a motorcycle accident in 1966 and two of his three sons, died in a house fire.

The late Mike Smith (lead singer of the Dave Clark Five-- "Bits And Pieces") is born in 1943. (Died February 28, 2008)

History:

In 1957, Mercury Records released the Diamonds' cover of the Chuck Willis dance tune "The Stroll." It peaked at #8 on the pop chart and sparked a fad for the dance of the same name.

In 1961, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best met with Brian Epstein for further discussions about his proposal to manage them. Epstein wanted 25% of their gross fees each week. He promised that their bookings will be better organized, more prestigious, and will expand beyond the Liverpool area. He also promised that they will never again play for less than £15, except for Cavern lunchtime sessions, for which he will get their fee doubled to ten pounds. Lennon, as leader of The Beatles, accepts on their behalf.

The movie "Ferry Cross The Mersey," with Gerry & the Pacemakers and Cilla Black, debuts in London in 1964.

The Beatles release their "Rubber Soul" album in 1965 and their "Day Tripper" single (which, strangely enough, isn't from that album).

The Rolling Stones recorded "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "Mother's Little Helper" at RCA's Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles in 1965.

In 1966, the Beatles recorded Christmas and New Year's greetings for pirate radio stations Radio Caroline and Radio London. Both stations were broadcasting from ships anchored off the British coastline.

The Beatles recorded "When I’m Sixty-Four" in 1966 which became the first song included on "Sgt. Peppers." They’d been working on "Strawberry Fields Forever" but that song landed on "Magical Mystery Tour."

James Taylor's self-titled album was released in Britain on Apple in 1968. Most attention focused on the contributions of Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Taylor was the first non-Beatle signed to Apple.

In 1969, The Rolling Stones play a free "thank you" concert for 300,000 fans at the Altamont Speedway in Livermore, California. Among the performing guests are Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The hastily organized event rapidly falls into a disaster when four people die, including one who was stabbed by a Hell's Angel who was hired to act as a security guard. The murder is filmed and included in the film "Gimme Shelter" which premiers exactly one year later.

Led Zeppelin made their debut on the US singles chart in 1969 with "Whole Lotta Love." It went on to make #4 on the chart and was the first of six Top 40 singles for the group in the US. During the bands career, Zeppelin never released any singles in the UK.

1969, One hit wonders Steam started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1969 with "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," one of the many 'B-sides' to make it big in the music industry.

"Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles was a hit in 1970.

Steve Miller got a gold record for "The Joker," in 1973, his most sucessful LP to date. The title track becomes Miller's first chart-topping hit and gives cameo roles to some of his previous in-song personas, like "Maurice" and "The Gangster of Love."

Paul Simon went to #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with "Still Crazy After All These Years," his first US #1 solo album.

In 1975, Rev Charles Boykin of Tallahassee, Florida organised the burning of Elton John and Rolling Stones records, claiming they were sinful. Boykin was reacting to the results from a survey that said, 984 of the 1,000 local unmarried mothers had sex when listening to rock music. For the record, he din't stamp out rock and roll we are are all still sinning.

AC/DC's big breakthrough comes with his fifth US album, "Highway to Hell," which was released in 1979. It turns gold and happens to be the last album recorded with original vocalist Bon Scott, who dies two months later.

In the studio in 1980, John Lennon mixed "Walking on Thin Ice." He's also interviewed by British DJ Andy Peebles. Mark David Chapman arrived in New York after flying there from Honolulu. He checked into a YMCA nine blocks from John Lennon's apartment.

The sound system breaks down during a John Mellencamp concert at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1985. Mellencamp waits until the problem is fixed, resumes the show and offers anyone in the audience their money back if they’re not satisfied. That's how a professional acts!

Peter Cetera and Amy Grant went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1986 with "The Next Time I Fall."

Pearl Jam’s “Vitalogy” was released in 1994.

Four months after the death of guitarist Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead declare their long strange trip is over. They disbanded in 1995.

Green Day nails a total of six trophies, including Rock Artist of the Year and Pop Group of the Year, at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. The group opens the show with "Holiday" from "American Idiot."

KoRn unleash their 7th album, "See You On The Other Side" in 2005.

In 2008, Beyoncé went to #1 on the US album chart with "I Am… Sasha Fierce," the singers third studio album. It debuted at #1, making Knowles the third female artist this decade after Britney Spears and Alicia Keys to have her first three albums debut in the top spot.